ORGANISERS of the Lake District's 11th annual air extravaganza, taking place on July 23 and 24, have revealed their display line-up.

The Windermere Air Festival kicks off on the Saturday with the breathtaking acrobatics of the Breitling Wing Walkers, performing a sequence of manoeuvres and handstands whilst strapped to the top wings of the team's Boeing Stearman biplanes.

First day visitors will also be treated to the RedHawks' air show act with a slow, gentle and graceful four-minute, three-dimensional aerial ballet performed to soothing music by a pair of 42 year-old, wooden, high-efficiency aeroplanes, designed by French musician, artist, ceramicist and sculptor Réné Fournier.

Another Saturday highlight will be the RAF Falcons parachute display team, now in their 50th year.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will grace the skies above Windermere on both days with special flights from the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Bomber.

The RV8tors will be flying their remarkably fast Vans RV-8's with powerful smoke systems, performing an exciting and memorable display.

Combining close formation aerobatics with speeds up to 230 mph, the display makes large manoeuvres that fill the sky and leave big smoke trails.

Also appearing at the festival will be the RAF Tucano and the RAF Hawk.

Both spectacular in their own right the Hawk display team will demonstrate the professional excellence of the RAF while the Tucano display consists of 21 manoeuvres including an offset barrel roll, stall turn, oblique loop and reverse wingover.

On Sunday, the Twister Duo will create a display of formation barrel loops, rolls and gravity defying zoom climbs.

The highlight of the weekend is set to be the renowned ambassadors of the RAF and everyone’s favourite – The Red Arrows.

Having missed last year's Lakeland air show, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, have been confirmed to headline 2011's festival.

Appearing at the air festival is a welcome return for Squadron Leader Graeme Bagnall.

Graeme, who is Red 10, is the team’s commentator and on the ground safety supervisor.

"It’s a stunning location and will definitely be a highlight of the display season for me.

"I can’t wait to meet the crowd when I’m on the ground at the show doing the commentary for the Team.

"You get a real buzz from seeing how the audience reacts to the displays.”

The RAF Red Arrows have been wowing audiences since their first season in 1965, they have flown over 4,000 displays in 52 countries.

Today the Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world,acting as ambassadors for Great Britain when displaying overseas.

They also support UK industry by demonstrating the capabilities of British equipment and expertise.

Lucy Bennett, a director of the air festival, said: "It’s such a coup for us to host the Red Arrows this year.

"They put on such a fantastic display and really add some excitement to the programme.

"The highly acclaimed displays are filled full of twists, turns, drama and excitement - they are definitely not one to be missed."

Attractions on the ground at the Air Base include the military village, battle re-enactments and flying simulator, new kids have-a-go activities plus face painting, circus skills, music and great local food stalls.

The Windermere Air Festival 2011 takes place on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24. The Air Base is located on the Glebe in Bowness-on-Windermere. For further information, click on the website below.

MORE than 10,000 people flocked to Crooklands at the weekend to celebrate quality local produce.

Country Fest — organised by Westmorland Agricultural Society — showcased the finest food and drink the area has to offer.

Independent food and drink producers and suppliers, who give the region its culinary reputation, tempted the senses at the County Showfield and gave visitors an insight into where their food comes from.

The family event also included a pets’ corner, ‘meet the farmer’, sheep shearing demonstrations, music and dance, a ‘grow your own’ area, crafts, beer festival, trade stands and dog shows.

Sheep dog trials were a new addition this year and The Westmorland Gazette hosted a wedding fair.

Richard and Barbara Mathews, from Kendal, were impressed with the range of items on sale and stocked up on locally-produced pies.

“We have such a wide variety of food here,” said Mr Mathews.

“We have got a lot of farmers who are extending what they do into other products and we like to support them.”

Tommy Brady, also from Lancaster, said: “The amount of food that is available is amazing. There are umpteen different types of sausage and pies — you want to buy it all.”

Christine Knipe, chief executive of Westmorland Agricultural Society, said: “The sunshine did bring people out on the Sunday and it was very busy.